Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from two planned exhibition events in the United States alongside Carlos Alcaraz, citing a foot injury as the reason for her decision. The 23-year-old British star was due to take part in matches on 7 December in Newark and 8 December in Miami, but her absence will now see her replaced in both events. (Mundo Deportivo)
What Happened?
- Promoters confirmed that Raducanu has “light bone bruising” on her right foot, making it unsafe for her to compete at this time. (Sky Sports)
- Despite the injury, she is still able to train and will travel to Barcelona for a pre-season training block. (Eurosport Espana)
- Her place at these exhibition matches will be taken by Jessica Pegula, who will step in both for singles and mixed doubles. (Mundo Deportivo)
Impact on Raducanu
Raducanu’s withdrawal comes after a challenging 2025 season, which ended earlier than planned due to various physical issues. (The Independent) Now, she’s prioritising full recovery in order to start the 2026 season in the best possible shape. (Eurosport Espana)
The decision also represents a significant financial cost: she is expected to forgo a substantial appearance fee for the U.S. events. (GB News)
What About Alcaraz?
While Raducanu pulls out, Carlos Alcaraz is still expected to compete in the exhibition. The pair had previously made headlines with their mixed doubles appearances and are close friends from their earlier tournament collaborations. (India Today)
Looking Ahead
Raducanu has emphasised that her priority is long-term fitness rather than short-term exhibition matches. She has brought in a new physiotherapist, Emma Stewart, to bolster her preparation and rehabilitation. (Eurosport Espana)
As she recovers, all eyes will be on her 2026 pre-season, where she hopes to return stronger and fully fit for the tour’s upcoming challenges.
